The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project, or UMNSVP, is a team of undergraduate students from the University of Minnesota that designs and constructs solar-powered cars. In its 31 years, it has established itself as one of the world's top solar racing teams, and the top Cruiser/Multi-Occupant Vehicle team in the Western Hemisphere, with top-two finishes in eighteen of thirty-four events entered. History Beginnings The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project was founded following the GM Sunrayce USA in 1990. With little to no prior knowledge, the team successfully built and raced Aurora I in Sunrayce 93. Aurora Generation The first generation of UMNSVP cars, called Aurora, mostly followed the "cutout" design that was typical of the 1990s, with a relatively flat body and a bubble canopy. Over three cars, the design was continually refined. All three of the Aurora vehicles had successful trips to international races, culminating in a 4th place in class finish in the 1999 Sunrayce and the team's first competition in the World Solar Challenge in Australia. Borealis Generation The Borealis series of cars represents the newer generation of solar cars: exotic, aerodynamic "manta-style" bodies with unlimited array area, able to (under ideal conditions) travel as fast as, or faster than, the flow of traffic on any road. All three of the Borealis cars were extremely successful with two second place finishes in the Formula Sun Grand Prix and one second place finish in the 2003 American Solar Challenge. Centaurus Generation The new Centaurus series of cars took the project to a whole new level by allowing the driver to sit upright while driving. Three vehicles were built in the series, and it is clear that they quickly improved to achieve the levels of success the team enjoyed with the earlier Aurora and Borealis series cars. Most notably, Centaurus II placed 2nd and 3rd in the 2010 American Solar Challenge, and Formula Sun Grand Prix, respectively. Daedalus Daedalus marked a drastic design change from all of the team's previous solar cars. Designed for the new cruiser class in the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, Daedalus was the team's first two-seater car and emphasized practicality. The car incorporated padded seats, a sound system, and a Nexus 7 tablet display. Eos Generation Eos I was the UMNSVP's 12th solar vehicle and was designed and built for the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge Cruiser Class, like its predecessor, Daedalus.